The BBC caved to salary demands to avoid another crisis after Bake Off left the channel two weeks ago

The new deal will also see the majority of his pay being paid through its commercial business BBC Worldwide meaning he is the first star to sign up to a loophole preventing his salary being made public under the Government’s proposed White Paper changes.

An insider revealed: “Bake Off going to Channel 4 was a disaster and a real blow. Losing Matt because of a few diary arrangements would have spun Top gear into crisis yet again.

Top Gear filming will also fit around Matts commitments to sitcom Man With A Plan, which films in LA

The revamped Top Gear suffered its lowest-ever ratings after Jeremy Clarkson, 56, James May, 53, and Richard Hammond, 46, quit the BBC for Amazon Prime quit the show last year.

Key producer Lisa Clark quit in December following bullying claims and the BBC were forced to send in factual entertainment chief Clare Pizey to wrestle back editorial control from Evans.

The ginger DJ was also forced into a humiliating apology for disrespecting veterans after donuts were carried out by stunt drivers leaving tyre marks around the Cenotaph War Memorial in Whitehall, central London.